Book assembly machine



Nq'v. 24, 1931. c. L. MOYER BOOK ASSEMBLY MACHINE I Filed July 9, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheei 1 Car/e; Z. 720%67 NOV. 24, 1931. v c, MOYER I 1,832,876

BOOK ASSEMBLY MACHINE Filed July 9. 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 NOV. 24, 1931. c, MOYER 1,832,876

BOOK AS SEMBLY MACHINE Filed July 9, 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 TH um J I I mun-mull! m qmmr m|||| ll!1IIIIlllllllllllilllllllllli f W 3 Car/ar Z. fiayar Nov. 24, 1931.

C. L. MOYER BOOK AS SEMBLY MACHINE Filed July 9, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 m @d/kJZ ray Nov. 24, 1931. c. 1.. MOYER 1,832,876

BOOK ASSEMBLY MACHINE Filed July '9. 1930 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 V. -illlml Nov. 24, 1931. c. MOYER 1,832,876

BOOK ASSEMBLY MACHINE Filed July 9, 1930 1Q Sheets-Sheet 6 "Wi 7:5 fla /as" L, WZOj/er Nov. 24, 1931. A c, MQYER 1,832,876

BOOK AS SEMBIJY MACHINE Filed July 9, 1930 lOSheets-Sheet 7 Cid/[es Z. 7720;

Nov. 24, 1931. c. L. MOYER 1,832,876

BOOK AS SEMBLY MACHINE Filed July 9, 1950 1O Sheets-Sheet 8 Car/ss 4 @ayer Nov. 24, 1931.1 MO'YER 1,832,876

BOOK AS SEMBLY MACHINE Filed July 9. 1950' 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 7m Czar/ed Z. fiayer NOV. 24, 1931. C; MOYER 1,832,876

BOOK ASSEMBLY MACHINE Filed July 9, 1930 l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 5,. I QM J mum,

Cid/ks Z. Wlujer Patented Nov. 24, 1931 UNITED srATEs PATENT OFFICE 7 CHARLES L. MOYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO QUALITY HARDWARE AND MACHINE CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,.A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS BOOK ASSEMBLY MACHINE Application filed July 9, 1930. Serial No. 466,620.

This invention relates to a book assembly machine and has to do more particularly with the automatic assembly of signatures or book parts into book form for stitching purposes. 7

An object of the invention is to provide a book assembly machine of compact form and construction wherein signatures may be Withdrawn from a pile, opened, deposited in open position on a. signature support for delivery to a stitching machine, in a minimum amount of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly machine wherein the travel of a signature from the pile to open position is reduced to a minimum.

A further object of the invention is to provide a book assembly machine for opening and accumulating signatures in open position which machine may be readily adapted to open signatures of various sizes by means of a single adjustment which may be quickly made.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine wherein" signatures may be withdrawn from a pile by gripper mechanisms opened and deposited in open book position without having the free edge of one of the folds of a signature extending beyond the free edge of the other fold of a signature.

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide a book assembly machine with an inclined supportfor receiving signatures aswithdrawn fromthe pile, on which support the one fold of a signature is separated from the other fold and grippers engage the other fold for moving the signature open end foremost whereby the signature may be openedand deposited in open position on a slgnature collector.

is yet further object of the invention is to provide in a book assembly machine, gripper means for moving a signature for opening purposes and which gripper means engage one fold of the signature at the free edge thereof, suction means being employed to move a fold away from that engaged by the gripper mechanism prior to the time the signature is opened. I

A still further object of theinvention is to provide an inclined support for receiving signatures as withdrawn from a pile which support is provided with means for adjusting the depth of the same to receive signatures of various sizes.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide, in a book assembly machine, a trough for receiving signatures from a pile and moving one fold away from the other fold by suction means and causing grippers to engage the other fold for removing the signature from the support. The suction means for moving the first fold away from the other is arranged to travel with the signature as the same 18 delivered to the support, then away from the support for moving one fold away from the other, the suction is then released and the suction means moved upwardly and then toward the support for suction engagement with the next signature delivered to the support.

Astill further object of the invention is to provide a novel pile lifting mechanism for enabling easy withdrawal of a signature from a pile.

Another and yet further object of the in- 'vention is to provide a mechanism for re-' versing the direction of travel of a signature withdrawn from a pile by gripper means. and moving the signature by gripper means open endforemost with the grippermeans engaging same fold of the signature and clamping the other fold to direct. the same over a signature collector. I

The above, other and further. objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Generally speaking. the machine contemplates the withdrawal of a signature from a pile folded end foremost, then delivering the same to an inclined support where suction .illGftllS engage a fold of the signature adja- .in a curvedpathand the free fold crimped substantially tangentially to the gripped fold for delivery in open position onto a signature collector. The invention further contemplates a novel pile lifting mechanism operated in timed relation to the signature withdrawing means to enable easy withdrawal of the bottommost signature of a pile.

The invention further contemplates the provision of an inclined support for receiving the signature from the withdrawn] grippers and there separating one .fold from the other folds to enable en geinent of the other told by additional gripper means for removing the signature from the support. The suction opening means at the support is arranged to travel with and with respect to the signature for opening purposes.

An embodiment of the invention views thereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view through the illustrated form of mach ne taken substantially in the plane of line I ll-ll of Figure 5.

Figure 3 is a fragmental front elevation of the machine taken substantially in tin plane of line IIIIII of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmental top plan view of the llustrated form of machine.

Figure 5 is a top plan v ew, partially in section, of the illustrated form of the machine, with the signature box removed.

Figure 6 is an end View of the cams l'wers and associated par s of the pile raising mechanism and the signature deflecting" mecha nism, with the parts shown immediately prior to the commencement of the deflecting movement.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing a signature deflected from the pile and the foot of the pile lifter underneath the front of the pile ready for raising the same.

Figure 8 is an clevational. view of the cams. levers and associated parts for controlling the suction operation of the suction means for opening a signature on the inclined support, showing the signature opened by the suction means and grippers about to engage the free edge of the other fold of the signature.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the cams. levers and associated parts for controllii g the suction supply to the det acting suction cups at the piles.

Figure 10 is an elevational view of the cams, levers and associated parts for actuat' .ing 'he movement of the suction separating means, with the parts showing the suction means at the lower end of its path of movement.

Figure 11 is similar to Figure 10 showing the parts with the suction means atthe top of the path of movement.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmental view showing the cams, levers and associated parts as the same appear in Figure 10, which view is taken behind the parts as sh own in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is av view similar to Figure 12 of the position of the parts illustrated in Figure 11.

Figure 14 is an elevational view oi a tumbier and associated mechanism ei'nployed for actuating the gripper fingers on the gripper wheels.

Figure l5 is a sectional view taken on line XV-XV of Figure 16 and shows the illustrated form of means for imparting to and fro movement to the deflecting suction cups and associated parts.

Figure 16 is a section view taken on line X l-XVl of Figure 15, showing details ot cmistriuetion and relation of certain or the parts.

The term of machine selected to exemplify the present invention is illustrated as having end members A and B of cast metal. There may be intermediate members similar to the end. members it the length of the macnine is such as to justify the same.

The length of the machine, that is the distance between the end members A and B, may be ncreased or decreased as occasion requires and as determined by the amount of wort: to be done on the same.

The machine is illustrated as supported on legs 1 which may be of wood or other suitable material.

A table C is provided as a. support for piles of signatures. There may be as many piles of signatures along the table C as may be readily accommodated taking into consideration the length I". the table C and the sizes of the signatures.

Signature deflecting mechanism The bottommost signature of every pile is deflected by suction means referred to herein suction cups.

A. suction pipe 2 extends along the front of the tab e C and has communicating therewith at intervals in the length thereof branches which terminate in cups 4%. The pipe 2 is supported at its end in brackets 5 which are pivoted to pins (3 carried in the adjacent cud members of the machine. The pins 6 are ca. ried in the brackets 5 which brackets have slides 13 for inward and outward movement with respect to the signature table C i. movement of translation.

An arm 7 extends from the brackets and pipe 2 thereof and carries a roller 8 for en gagement with a ram 9 (Figures (3 and '7) for oscillating the arm and its attached bracket ,3. deemed to each oi? the pins (3 a 1f) meshing with. gear 11 fastened to the pipe A rack bar 12 is fastened to the frame of the machine. 1

- The suction cups 4 are spaced from the front edge of the signature support C for suction engagement with the lowermost signature in a pile to deflect the same from the pile intoposition to be gripped by the gripper mechanism for withdrawing the signature from the pile.

It has been found that when the cups 4 are spaced from the front edge of the signature support C, it is necessary that the cups in moving downwardly for deflecting the lowermost signature should also move inwardly toward the signature support in order to prevent tearing of the signature or breaking of the suction.

The presentarrangement of the suction deflecting means enables downward and inward movement of the suction cups 4.

The arm 7 following the cam 9 on swinging downwardly will cause the brackets to swing about its pivotal support 6. The gears 10 and 11 during such movement will causeinward movement of the slide portion 13 of the bracket as rotation of the pipe 2 will tend to turn the gear 10 and. cause it to travel inwardly on the rack bar 12. Such construction therefore causes the center of the cups 4 to follow an arcuate path from the front edge of the signature board A with a radius from such frontedge to the center of the cups. cated as a curved line 14 of Figure 15.

The cam 91's affixed to a shaft 15 st )ported in journals 16 of the end members A and B.

The pipe 2 is connected to a valve 17 (Figure 9) which controls suction through the pipe. A valve stem 18 extends from the valve body and restsagainst an arm 19 of a bell crank D which is pivoted at 20 to the end member B. The other arm 21 of the bell crank is connected at 22 to a lever 23. The lever 23 has its other end provided with spaced ends 24 resting on a bushing 25 on the shaft 15. A cam 26 is secured to the shaft 15 which engages a roller on the lever 23 for moving the same backwardly and forwardly to open and close the valve 17 in the suction line 2.

Pile Zifti'n means upstanding ears 35.- Cranks 36 are secured to the rock shaft 31 for movement therewith Such path of movement is i'ndiand at the other ends are connected by links 37 to the ears of the brackets 34 for rock ing the brackets about the shaft 33 whenever the rock shaft 31 is actuated. The brackets 34 are also provided with apertures verticallv disposedfor receiving rack bars 08 with the bars arranged one to an aperture. The rack bars 38 slide in the apertures of the brackets 34 in a manner to be presently described.

Gears 39 are keyed to the shaft 33 and mesh with rack bars 38 so that when the gears are rotated in eith '21 direction, the rack bars will be raised or lowered, as the case may be. The lower ends of the rack bars 38 are provided with laterally extending feet 40 which under certain conditions engage under the front edge of the piles to raise the same.

A crank arm 41. is fastened to the rock shaft 31 and also to a lever 42. The lever. 42 has its other end provided with extensions which rest on a'bushing 43 on. the shaft 15. A cam 44 keyed to the shaft 15 engages a roller 45 secured to the lever 42 for imparting to and fro movement thereto for the purpose of rocking the shaft 31.

Another lever 46 has one end provided with parallel spaced extensions 47 engaging the bushing 43. The other end of the lever 46 is connected to a crank 48 which is keyed to therock shaft 33. Movement is imparted to i the lever 46 by a cam 49 on the shaft15 co- 7 operating with a roller 50 on the arm 46.

The cams 44 and 49 are so designed that if rotation is imparted to the shaft 15 in the manner to be hereinafter explained, said cams will cause to and fro movement of the levers 42 and 46, rocking the shafts 31 and 33, respectively. The rockshaft 33 imparts 0scillatorymovement to the gears 39 thereon while rocking the shaft 31 moves the brackets 34 about the shaft 33 as a center so as to swing the rack bars 38 away from against the folded edges of the signatures onthe table G as may be observed in dotted lines in Figure 6. g i

.The parts above described cause swinging movement of the rack bars 38 aboutthe rock shaft 33 as a center and also longitudinal movement of the bars in order that the piles of signatures on the table C may be raised at the proper moment and also in order that the rack bars 38 may be inovedaway from the exposed edges of thesignatures in the pile to enable the suction cups 410 engage against the under side of the lowermost signature for deflecting the same and when deflected, the rack bars are swung into such position that the lateral extensions 40 will then engage against the neat but one of the lattermost signatures in order that the pile may be raised when the racks 38 are elevated.

Gripper withdrawing means Gripper means are provided for withdraw- Ling signatures from the piles of signatures on the table C and as illustrated, this means includes a plurality of gripper wheels 51 keyed to the shaft 15 and arranged at intervals along the front of the table C. A red passes through all of the gripper Wheels between the shaft 15 and the periphery of the wheels and carries fingeix 53 which are arranged to engage against lateral extensions adjacent the sides of the peripheries of the wheels. The rod is rocked by a tumble: such instance as that illustrated in Figure 1%. A c ular disk 55 is secured in position either end of the machine as oesired for :ctuating the rod 52. The disk 55 in the illustrated form of the apparatus is shown attached to the end wall B (Figure 3) and has attached to it two arcuate flanges 56 and 57, the flange 56 extending; laterally from he periphery of the disk and the flange 57 spaced inwardly of tllQ disk.

A frame member 58 is keyed or otherwise fastened to the end of the rod 52 adjacent the plate 55 and carries two rollers 59 and GO. Observing the arrangement of parts as illustrcted n Figure Ll, the bracket 58 attached to the rod 52 is movable clockwise and the roller 59 engaging the end of the flange 56 is tilted so as to rock the rod 52 about the roller so that the bracket then assumes the position shown in dotted lines in said figure. This is the arrangement of the bracket and the roller when the gripping fingers 53 are in gripping position. The bracket 58 and its oller move with the rod 52 as the shaft 15 is rotated. As soon as the roller 59 reaches the end of the flange 56, the weight of the part will tend to move the bracket snliicientlv so that the fingers 53 release enfragement with the signature. Continued rotation of the shaft 15 then brings the bracket to the second dotted line position whereupon the roller 60 which is then in advance will strike the end of tie flange 57 and the bracket 58 will turn the rod 52 to the position shown in full lines in Figure l t which is the open position of the fingers.

Inclined an 323) art Castings 60 and 61 are secured adjacent the end walls of the machine and have the faces 2 thereof inclined downwardly from front to rear. Each of these eastinas supports a rack bar (33 nut-slung with near 64: carr ed on a shaft (5 which extends from side to side or end to end of the machine. A hand wheel 66 is secured to the shaft for rotating it in either direction to move the rack bar 63 up or down as the case may be. A fiat member 67 s connected to each of the rack bars 63 len 1thwise of the machine and provided at intervals in its length with pins (38 which extend normal to the surface of the member 67.

A plurality of loops of metal strips 69 are secured to the framework of the machine from end to end thereof and in spaced relation to serve as an open cage-like trough. These loops are formed with the bend at the lower end and with the upper or free end spaced. The end 70 of the inner side of the loop extends above the other end and is vertical to serve as a guide during the time that a signature is being discharged into the inclined member from the withdrawing grippers.

The pins 68 serve as the bottoms of the in- A shaft '71 supported in the end members of the machine and is provided with a plurality of Q'llPPt-El w iccls 72 which are similar in all respects to the gripper wheels 51 here- A rod 73 extends through the g 'ipper wheels 72 and carries the grip- This rod 73 is actuated by a tiunbler in the same manner as described with respect to the actuation of the rod 52.

Suction opening means A signature delivered to the inclined support is opened by suction means engaging one fold of the signature near the free edge thereof to enable the finger 74E of the gripper wheels 72 to have gripping engagement with the free edge of the other fold of the signature or withdrawing it from the inclined support and moving it into opening position.

Figure 2 illustrates a signature on the inclined support having one fold thereof moved away from the other fold by suction means.

The suction means will for convenience be referred to herein and described as suction tubes to distinguish over the suction cups t utilized for deflecting the lowermost signatures of the piles.

Rock shafts 75 and 76 are journaled at T7 and 78, respectively, in the end members of the machine and extend from end to end of the same. A plurality of suction tubes 79 arranged at intervals from end to end of the machine are supported in brackets 80.

Attached to rock shaft 75 are cranks 81 which are connected at 82 to a link 83, the other end of which is pivoted at 8st to a link 85 of which the brackes 80 forms a part. A crank 86 is keyed to the rock shaft 76 and is pivoted at 87 to the link 85.

A suction pipe 88 is secured in the end members and flexible connectors 89 in engagement with the interior of the pipe 88 with the several suction tubes 7 9.

A vaive 90 is inserted in the suction pipe 88 and its valve stem 91 is actuated by an arm 92 of a bell crank E pivoted at 93 to the framework of themachine. The other arm 94 of the bell crank is pivoted to a lever 95 which is given to and fro motion by a cam 96 on the shaft 71. The lever 95 has its ends separated and provided with extensions 97 for engaging a bushing 98 on the shaft 71.

A stub shaft 99 is secured inwardly of the end wall E of the machine and is interposed movement of the tubes moving with the signature after having made suctional engagement with the same downwardly and then its movement to the left moves one fold of the signature away from the other to enable gripping of the other fold by the fingers 74 on the wheels 72. Suction is then re leased, the tubes 79 move upwardly, then forwardly for making suctional engagement with the next signature. 7 1 l A rocker member 100 is keyed to rock shaft 7 One end of a lever 101 is pivoted at 102 to the member 100. The ot-her end of the lever is provided with spaced extensions 103 which engage a bushing 104 on the stub shaft 99. A cam 105 is keyed to shaft 99 and engages against a roller 106 supported on the inner side of the lever 101. I

A crank 107 is keyed totherock shaft 76 and has pivoted thereto a lever 108 which at its other end has extensions 109 resting on the bushing 104 of the shaft 99. A; cam 110 is keyed to the shaft 99 and engages a roller 111 on the inner side of the lever 108. Thus as the shaft 99 is rotated in a manner to be presently described, thelevers 101 and 108 rock the shafts 75 and 76 by moving the suction tubes 79 through the path heretoforev described. I

Kwlaer mechanism Provision is made to return the one side I 1 or the signature separated fromthe other side by the suction tubes so that the signature ort. p Such mechanism consists of a rocker shaft 112 to which is attached brackets 113 .carry ing upstanding strips 114 which strips are placed between the loops 69. A crank 115 is secured to one end of the rock shaft 112 and to the crank at 117 which lever in turn has its other end provided with spaced extensions 118 engaging bushing 98 on the shaft 71. A cam 11b is fixed to shaft71 engages a roller 119 on the lever 116 to reciprocate the same.

It will thus be observed that as the lever 116 is reciprocated, the strips 114 will be kicked toward the one side of the signature engagingthe same and thereby pushed toward the other sides of the signature with the free'edges of thesignature lying against the top sides of the gripper fingers of the gripper wheels 72.

Driving mechanism The apparatus is driven from a suitable source of power through a shaft 120 journaled at 121 to the end member A of the machine. A bevel gear 122 is keyed to the shaft 120 and meshes with a bevel gear 123 keyed to the shaft 71. Any suitable source of power may be applied tothe shaft 120 or driving the machine.

Tie rods 124, 125 and 126 are provided extending from end to end of the machine and suitably secured in the end members of the same. Y K

Rollers 127 carried on brackets 128 are provided so that the surfaces of the rollers 127 contact with surfaces of the gripper wheels 72;

Guide members 128 overlying the gripper wheels 172 are provided at intervals from end to end of the machineso that as the signatures are being raised from the inclined supports, the free fold thereof Will be directed between the- 'ri oer wheels 72 and n pl the rollers 1 27 for opening purposes.

A plurality of crimpers 129 are secured to the machine between the ends thereof for crimping the free folds of the various signatures being held between the gripper wheels 72 and rollers 127. Crimpers are shown in the present instance as supported from the tie rods 126. These crimpers crimp the free fold of the signature thus stiffening the same to direct the same outwardly away from the gripper wheels 72 as the same are moving in clockwise'direction with the other fold of the signature gripped by the fingers 74 of these wheels. The crimpers tend to buckle the one fold of the signatures'to direct the same over the saddles 130 on which the signatures are collected in open position and from which saddle-s the collected signathree are removed by chains or similar means in the usual manner. may be withdrawn. from the inclined sup- A gear 131 is secured to shaft 15. Another gear 132 is fastened to shaft 71. A gear 133 is carried on the stub shaft 99 and meshes with gears 131 and 132. Rotation therefore of the shaft 71 by the driving shaft 120 rotates the shafts 15 and 71 in thesame direction.

A pile of signatures G is placed on a signature table C folded ends to front. There may be as many piles of signatures as the length of the table will accommodate, depending of course on the size of the signaturcs. Fixed at intervals are signature guides 13%: which are spaced from the front edge of the table C to serve as abutments when signatures are placed on the table. The guides 134 consequently limit the projection of the signatures beyond the front edge of the table C thereby mainta ning these in proper position to be engaged successively by the vacuum cups 4 for deflecting purposes.

he machine from end wall to end wall may be as long or as short as desired and may be designed to open one pile of signatures or many piles of signatures. There are provided several of the suction cups 4, the withdrawing gripper wheels 51, the opening gripper wheels 52 while the inclined support or trough extends from end to end of the machine. The various instrumentalitics heretofore described may be arranged in multiple units. and a unit would be actuated n the manner described as to thevarious elements and combination of elements.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The position of parts at the time the machine is ready for operation is such that the suction cups 4 are in up position, that is with the top face of the cups in alignmentwith the table C as is shown in Figures 6 and 17 of the drawings. The cups 4 support he extending edges of the piles of signatures on the table C until the cups are moved downwardly for deflecting purposes.

The pile raising mechanism is as shown in Figure 6, that is with the rack 38 down with the lower end thereof tilted away from the piles,

Immediately on commencement of operation of the machine. the t ming of the various cams, levers and the like is such that the suction pipe 2 is opened to the source of suction resulting in the creation of suction at the cups, thereby deflecting the lowermost signatures in the piles. The rotation of the shaft 15 with its rotation of cams 9 causes the swinging downwardly of the cups 4 with the consequent inward movement of the brackets supporting the p pe 2 and the cups 4:. Thus the cups move downwardly carrying with the same the deflected edges of the signatures, deflecting such signatures in a curved path the center of which is the front edge of the table B and the radius of which is the distance from the front edge of the table to the center of the cups as the same is moved downwardly and inwardly.

As soon as the lowermost signatures have been deflected sufliciently. the gripper fingers 53 of the gripper wheels 51 close against the team folded edges of the deflected signatures and the suction in the pipe 2 is shut off so that the signatures are no longer held by the suction cups but are free to move with respect to the same whereupon the gripper wheels 51 rotating in clockwise direction as viewed in the figures in the drawings with the signatures from the bottoms of the scveral piles. A. signature so withdrawn is carried in a circular path until the folded edge is over the inclined support or trough whereupon the tumbler mechanism of Figure 14 is actuated to open the lingers 5- thereupon releasing engagement with the signature whereby the same drops into the trough.

In the meantime, the suction tubes 79 have been moved upwardly to the position of Figure 11 and as the signatui s drop into the trough, move forwardly and suction is estab lished in the pipes 88 and the various suction tubes 79. This action results in the adjacc .t folds of the signatures being held against the tubes 7 9 and these tubes avel downwardly with the signatures dropping into the trough until the bottom is reached, then moved inwardly that is away from the trough in the manner illustrated in Figure 2 thus separating one fold from the other.

The parts are so arranged and timed that as the signatures reach the bottom of the trough. that is against the pins 68, the gripper fingers 74 of the gripper wheels 72 en gage the free edge of the other fold of the signature and withdraws the sign atnrc from the trough. At this time, or immediately before, suction in the tubes 79 has been cut off and the kicker shaft 112 actuated so that the one fold of the signature is kicked against the other fold with the free edge thereof on top of the finger 7% of the gripper wheels 72. Thus the signatures are withdrawn from the trough. Guides 128 serve to direct the free fold of the signature along with the gripped folds between the gripper wheels 72 and rollers 127.

The crimpers 129 then become effective to stiffen the free fold of the signatures and extend the same substantially tangcnti ally to the path of movement of the gripped folds, that is over the saddles 130 or collecting sup ports. This free fold of the signature maintained stiffened until it is over the saddle or 5113301t 130 whcreumn the ri'mer linsaid stiffened fold thereof has been made as a unit, that is with one set of gripper wheels 51 and 72 and one pile raising mechanism or may bev made as a combination of units in which event there would be a pile raising means for each of such units or if desired, there may be used several pile raising means if perchance the piles of signatures are heavy or the signatures large. The fact that but one pile raising mechanism as illustrated in Figure 4 is not to be construed against ap plicant as there are utilized as many of these pile raising mechanisms as there are piles on the table C. However, applicant has not illustrated all of these as it might lead to some confusion in the drawings.

There are of course as many sets of suction tubes 79 as there are piles of signatures as it is essential that all of the signatures delivered onto the inclined support be opened to enable gripping by the gripper wheels 72 for inversion and opening before deposited on the collectors. Preferably, there are at least two of the suction tubes 7 9 per signature. Figure 5 shows connection for a plurality of such tubes.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to details, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A book assembly machine, in combination, suction means for deflecting a signature from a pile, pile lifting mechanism,gripper wheels having grippers thereon for engaging said deflected signature, an inclined support disposed to receive a signature released by said grii'ipers, suction tubes bodily movable up and down adjacent the in lined support, a suction line for said tubes, means for moving said tubes against a signature and opening said tubes to the suction line as said signature nears the bottom of said inclined support, said tube moving means then efiective to move said tubes and the fold of the signature in engagement therewith away from the ot old of the signature, rippers'engageable with the other fold of the signature for moving the signat xre upwardly and away from the support, a guide for directing the free fold of said signature along with the gripped fold, a crimper engaging said signature for crimping the free fold thereof to stiffen the same as saidgripped part is moved by said grippers in a substantially circular path, a saddle adjacent said machine, and said grippers releasing said signature when moved to overlie said saddle.

2, A book assembly machine including in combination, surtion means fordeflecting a signature from a pile, gripper means for withdrawing the deflected signature, an in clined supportfor receiving said signature when released by sa1d grippers, suction means engaging one fold of'a signature to I open the same while on said support, gripper means engaging the other fold of a signature and withdrawing the same from said support, means for crimping the ungripped fold of a signature, a signature collector, and

said last gripping means releasing said signature when said crimped fold has been moved over said collector.

3. A book assembly machine including in combination )ile lifthi mechanism ri r: a a:

per wheels having gripper fingers thereon for withdrawing a signature from a pile, a tumbler for actuating said fingers, a downwardly extending trough to receive a signature when released by said grippers, suction means engaging the fold of a signature to open the same while in said trough, gripper means engaging the other fold of a signature and withdrawing the same from said trough, a crimper engaging said signature for crimping the free fold thereof to stiffen the same as said gripped part is moved by said grippers in asubstantially circular path, a saddle underlying said opened signature, and said grippers releasing said signaturewhen said stiffened part thereof is over said saddle.

4. A boolr assembly machine including in combination, suction means for deflecting a signature from a pile, said suction means havingmovement of translation toward and away from said pile, said suction means being swingable downwardly from the pile, means for effecting the aforesaid movement of said suction means, and cam actuated means for operating said last mentioned means.

5. A book assembly ma hine including in combination, suction means for deflecting a signature from a pile, said suction means being movable toward and away from said downwardly from the pile, rack and pinion for effecting the aforesaid movement of said suction means, cam actuated means for operating said rack and pinion, cam actuated means for controlling suction to said suction Y means, a valve in the suction line, an oscillatmg arm for actuating said valve, a cam for 0s illating sa1d arm, and all of said means being operable in sequential relation.

6. A book assembly mach ne including in said member, an oscillating shaft, connections between said oscillating shaft and said gear for oscillating said gear to raise and lower said me'mber, said member having a sliding support, and'connections between the pile, said suction means being swingable pile lilting mechanism and the means for deflecting a signature for moving the same in timed and sequential relation.

7. A book assemb y machine including in combination, means for deflecting a signature from a pile, an inclined support disposed to receive a signature withdrawn from said pile, means i? r adjusting the depth of said inclined support, said means including a bar and pins on said bar projecting into said inclined support and means for adjusting said bar.

8. A. book assembly machine including in combination, means for deflecting a signature from pile, gripper means for withdrawing a del'lected signature, an inclined support for receiving a signature when released by said grippers, suction tubes bodily movable up and down for suction engagement with a fold of a signature in said support, and means for moving said tubes in the manner stated.

A book assembly machine including in combination, means for deflecting a signature from a pile, gripper means for withdrawing a deflected signature, an inclined support for receiving a signature when re leased by said grippers, suction tubes bodily movable up and down for suction engagement with a fold of a signature in said support, means for moving said tubes in the manner stated, asuction supply pipe communicating with said tubes, a cam actuated valve in said supply pipe, and said cams for moving said tubes being arranged in timed relation with said gripper means as to move said tubes against a signature and open said tubes to the suction line a signature nears the bottom of the support after release by the grippers.

10. A book assembly machine including in combination, means for deflecting a signaturc from a pile, gripper means for withdrawing a deflected signature, an inclined support for receiving a signature when released by said grippers, suction tubes bodily movable up and down for suction engagemeat with fold of a signature in said support, means for moving said tubes in the manner stated, said tube moving means being effective to move said tubes and the fold of the signature in engagement therewith away from the other fold of the signature.

11. A book assembly machine including in combination, means for deflecting a signature from a pile, gripper means for withdrawing a deflected signature, an incline support for receiving a signature when released by said grippers, suction tubes bodily movable up and down for suction engagement witl a fold of a signature in said support, means for moving said tubes in the manner stated, a suction supply pipe communicating with said tubes, a cam actuated valve in said supply pipe, and said cams for moving said tubes arranged in timed relation with said gripper means as to move said tubes against a signature and open said tubes to the suction line as a signature nears the bottom of the support after release by the grippers, said tube moving means being efl'eo tive to move said tubes and the fold of the signature in engagement therewith away from the other fold of the signature.

12. A book assembly machine including in combination, suction means for deflecting a signature from a pile, means for raising the pile away from a deflected signature, gripper means engageable with such de fiected signature for withdrawing the same from the pile, a trough for receiving said signature from said grippers, a suction tube cngageable with one told of said signature the same enters said trough and moving said engaged fold away from the other fold of the si nature, gripper means engaging the other fold of the signature, connections be ween the suction control means and gripper actuating means to release the suction as said grippers engage said other told of the signz'iture, a pusher for moving said are of the signature against the other told af'cr release therefrom by said suction lube, a guide for directing said first "fold in the nne path of travel as the gripped told, an arm engaging the signature for crimping the ungripped fold thereof to stil'i'en said told as the signature is moved by said grippers, and a support for receiving s id opened signature.

13. It book assembly machine including in combination, suction means for deflecting a signature from a pile, gripper means for withdrawing deflected signature, a trough for receiving said signature when released by said grippers, suction means engaging one fold of the signature in the trough to open the signature, gripper means engaging the other fold 0 said signature and withdrawing the same from the trough, means for crimping the ungripped fold of the signature, a saddle, and said last gripping means releasing said signature when said crimped iiold has been moved over said saddle.

A book assembly machine including in combination, revolving means for withdrawing signature from a. pile, means for opening a signature, said opening means includsuction means engagin one told of a signature and moving said. 'i'old away from the other told thereof, revolving 2Jripper means for engaging said other o d bi said first fold and away therefrom, said suction means then freeing said first fold, and crimping means engaging said. free fold for stiilening the same to move away from said gripped told while the same is being moved oy the last mentioned revolving means.

15. A book assembly machine including in combination, revolving means for withdrawing a. signature from a pile, means for opening the signatures, said means including suction means temporarily engaging one fold of a signature and revolving gripper means engaging the other fold of the signature, a support for receiving open signatures, and said gripper means delivering said signatures to said support in open position.

16. A book assembly machine including, an inclined support down which signatures are fed folded end foremost, means for separating one fold of the signature from the other While the signature is on said support, rotating .q'ripper means engaging said other fold and withdrawing the signature from said support open end foremost, means positioning said one fold and separating the same from said other fold, and a support on which the opened signature is deposited when said grippers release said other fold.

17. A book assembly machine including, an inclined support down which signatures are fed folded end foremost, suction means for separating one fold of the signature from i the other fold while said signature is on said support, rotary grippers engaging said other fold and withdrawing the signature from said support open end foremost, means for buckling said one fold and separating the same from said other fold, means directing said one fold into position to be buckled, and a support on which the opened signature is deposited when said grippers release said other fold.

18. A book assembly machine including, an inclined support down which signatures are fed folded end foremost, adjustable stops for limiting the extent of travel of signatures along said support, means for separating one fold of a signature from the other fold while said signature is on said support, rotary grippers engaging said other fold and withdrawing said signature from said support open end foremost, and means buckling said one fold and separating the same from the other fold as said signature is withdrawn from said support.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

CHARLES L. MOYER. 

